All this talk about second wines compelled me to pop a 2005 Blason d'Issan tonight. The palate is a bit hollow and puckery, but what a nose! Mainly red berry fruit on the nose along with cedar, vanilla, a hint of leather, and a fantastic floral perfume that pervades all that. Rather smell this than drink, but that's okay.

My favorite is Seavey's Caravina Cab. It's a little more fruit-forward and approachable when young than their primary cab, but both still improve with age.I have found that most of the other Napa "2nd labels" cabs are a far cry from their counterpart, although my experience is limited.

when i was a cigar smoker a million years ago "second labels" were often distanced from there bigger and more recognized "primary label". I used to think napanook was a 2nd wine to dominus until I was put in my place when I meet Christian Moueix (sorry if I misspelled his name, did not look it up going off of memory) a million years ago.